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Like their mainland counterparts, Hawaiians love the chance to explore the great outdoors. While surfing does take the top spot as far as recreational activities are concerned, bike riding is catching up. Car traffic on Oahu during the work week is horrendous, also prompting some locals to pedal to work. The island has an extensive bike path system that is enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.

Bike Path Ratings

The State of Hawaii, Department of Transportation offers a collection of maps for the various island routes. A legend shows the ratings for the paths. Green paths are suitable for novice riders and include bicycle only pathways and roadways that have designated bike paths. If a roadway is considered wide enough for bikes and cars, it sometimes is also designated a green road. Yellow paths have enough room for cars and bikes to co-exist, but are usually busier and best for experienced riders. Red routes are listed, but are not considered bike friendly because of excess traffic or narrow roadways. The legend also lists places to find food, water and restrooms, and advises if a path has a steep grade. In some cases the paved shoulder width is noted.

Honolulu and Waikiki

Honolulu and the beach area of Waikiki are the busiest parts of the island. Most of the roadways in Waikiki are labeled yellow or red, but one scenic stretch of Kalakaua Avenue fronting the beach west of Kapiolani Park is a bike-friendly green. Kalakaua Avenue is one-way in this area, with a wide roadway and sidewalks. The road around Diamond Head is also a green route, fronting the beach on one side and leading into the center of the crater on the other. Diamond Head State Monument (hawaiistateparks.org) features a park inside the crater and a hiking trail up to the summit. Green bike-friendly paths are available along Ala Moana Beach Park, west of Waikiki. Pathways throughout downtown Honolulu fall into the yellow or the red category. Exceptions are a few roadways around the University of Hawaii and a section of Young Street between McCully and Ward Avenues.

East Shore Pathways

East of Diamond Head, bike-friendly green paths lead through the upscale Kahala neighborhood and then to the Kalanianaole Highway. The highway remains green until you reach Hanauma Bay, then the four-lane roadway drops down to two and you are on a yellow route. An alternate green route travels up the hill to Hawaii Kai and is a bit of a climb. The views are tantalizing as you make your way to Sandy Beach, a local surfing spot. Past Hanauma Bay, the Kalanianaole Highway hugs some of Oahu’s most scenic shoreline, taking you past Makapuu Point, Kaiona Beach Park and laid back Waimanalo. The roadway is narrow at some points, and there are blind curves and changes in elevation but the views are eye-popping.

North Shore Pathways

Kalanianaole Highway leaves the shoreline south of Kailua but remains a yellow route. Kailua Road leading east to Kailua Beach Park has some green sections, especially around the park and neighboring Lanikai Beach. The highway itself continues north, going past remote Kapaluu Beach and Laie, site of the Polynesian Cultural Center (polynesia.com). Eventually the roadway name changes to Kamehameha Highway and you find yourself at Waimea Bay. This is the famed North Shore -- home to surfing waves the size of skyscrapers. The Ke Ala Pupukea Bike Path parallels the roadway just north of the bay and is the only green route in the area.

West Shore Pathways

The west side of Oahu is more arid and less densely populated. The Farrington Highway runs the length of the shoreline, leading past deserted beaches, condos and through the town of Makaha. Eventually you end up at Barber’s Point. Once a quiet part of Oahu, this area is now vying to be the next Waikiki. Upscale properties, including the JW Marriott Ihilani (ihilani.com) and Disney’s Aulani (resorts.disney.go.com), share beach space with golf courses and the Paradise Cove Luau (paradisecovehawaii.com). The highway is mostly two lanes up until Barber Point, and designated a yellow route. East of here, in the Pearl Harbor area, are the West Lock Bike Path, the Fort Weaver Road Bike Path and the Nimitz Bike Path fronting Honolulu International Airport. Roadways leading from Pearl Harbor through the center of Oahu to the towns of Mililani and Wahiawa are yellow routes, some with steep climbs.

About the Author

Monica Wachman is a former editor and writer for FishersTravelSOS, EasyRez.com and Bonsai Ireland. She has an AA degree in travel from Career Com Technical and is an avid RV buff and gardener. In 2014, she published "Mouschie and the Big White Box" about an RV trip across North America.